Cartridge housing for a beverage or food cartridge

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cartridge housing comprising a diluting means, especially a water supply, a mixing chamber in which the diluting means and a beverage and/or food substrate are mixed, and an outlet. The cartridge housing is fitted with a hollow rod such that the sealing film of the cartridge is pierced as soon as the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge housing, thereby creating the flow connection between the cartridge and a mixing chamber.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a cartridge receptacle having a diluent, inparticular water, inflow, a mixing chamber in which the diluent and abeverage substrate and/or foodstuff substrate are mixed, and an outflow.

Cartridge receptacles of this kind are known from the prior art, forexample from EP 2 017 221 A1 and WO 2006/005401 A2, and are used toproduce for example cold beverages by means of cartridges. In additionto good hygiene, good mixing between the beverage substrate and/orfoodstuff substrate and the solvent, in particular water, which aremixed in the cartridge receptacle is important.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it was the object of the present invention to provide acartridge receptacle which satisfies these demands.

The object is achieved by a cartridge receptacle having a diluent, inparticular water, inflow, a mixing chamber in which the diluent and abeverage substrate and/or foodstuff substrate are mixed, and an outflow,wherein, with regard to the direction of flow of the diluent, the flowcross section is first expanded and then reduced again.

The statements made with regard to this subject of the present inventionapply equally to the other subjects of the present invention and viceversa.

The present invention relates to a cartridge receptacle which reversiblyor irreversibly receives a cartridge, in particular partially. Thecartridge has a cavity in which a beverage substance and/or foodstuffsubstance is located and which is hermetically sealed prior to beverageand/or foodstuff production. In order to produce the beverage and/or thefoodstuff, the cartridge is then opened, in particular pierced, and thesubstrate runs/flows into a mixing chamber of the cartridge receptacle,which also has a solvent, in particular water, inflow, which is mixedwith the substrate in order to produce the finished beverage orfoodstuff, which runs out of the mixing chamber through an outflowlikewise provided on the cartridge receptacle. The volumetric flow ofthe solvent is in this case generally much greater than the volumetricflow of the substrate.

According to the invention, the flow cross section, i.e. the crosssection which is available for the liquid to flow, in particular for thesolvent flow and/or the mixture of solvent and substrate, is nowprovided such that, with regard to the direction of flow of the solvent,the flow rate is first of all slowed down and then accelerated again.The acceleration which is achieved by a flow cross section constrictiontakes place as far as possible after the solvent and the substrate havebeen blended.

The particular transition between the region with an expanded flow crosssection and the regions with a constricted flow cross section is definedby the profile of the wall of the mixing chamber. To this end, the wallcan have a curved or stepped, or angular, profile in the transitionregions.

According to a further preferred subject, or subject according to theinvention, of the present invention, the mixing chamber has aprotuberance.

The statements made with regard to this subject of the present inventionapply equally to the other subjects of the present invention and viceversa.

This protuberance projects preferably out of the circumference, inparticular the lateral circumference, which extends between the two endsides of the cartridge receptacle. Preferably, the protuberance is partof the mixing chamber. Preferably, the circumference of the mixingchamber has a substantially circular shape and the protuberance projectsout of this circular shape. According to a particularly preferredembodiment of the present invention, the outflow of the finishedbeverage or foodstuff is provided in the protuberance.

According to a further preferred subject, or subject according to theinvention, of the present invention, the cartridge receptacle has afastening and/or securing ring. This fastening and/or securing ringpreferably receives the cartridge, which is fastened to the cartridgereceptacle. Preferably, the fastening and/or securing ring is providedwith a predetermined breaking point and/or predetermined deformationpoint at the mixing chamber. Before the production of a beverage orfoodstuff, this point is destroyed and/or deformed, in particularirreversibly deformed. This can take place for example by the cartridgeand the cartridge receptacle being moved relative to one another. As aresult of the deformation and/or destruction, the cartridge receptaclecan be used only once and/or the interconnection between the cartridgereceptacle and the cartridge can no longer be released.

Preferably, at least one mixing element is provided in the mixingchamber, said mixing element ensuring that the solvent or the mixture ofsolvent and substrate is swirled. Preferably, the mixing element isprovided as a protuberance in the bottom. Preferably, the mixing elementis designed such that carbonic acid which is dissolved in the solventdoes not outgas or outgases only a little. Preferably, the mixingelement is designed such that it exhibits only a slight pressure drop.

Preferably, the cartridge receptacle has a piercing means whichperforates the membrane. This piercing means is designed for example asa spike which projects out of the bottom of the mixing chamber.Preferably, the piercing means has, on its outer circumference, at leastone, preferably a plurality of indentations and/or protuberances, whichserve as outflow for the substrate. The quantity and size of theindentations and/or protuberances depend preferably on the viscosity ofthe substrate. Preferably, the piercing means has a channel which endsin or in the region of the tip. Through this channel, it is possible fora gas, in particular air or CO₂, to be blown into the cartridge in orderto accelerate and/or to meter the dispensing of the substrate.

Preferably, the cartridge receptacle has a spike guide, wherein thepiercing means is mounted in a displaceable manner within the spikeguide, wherein the piercing means is displaceable between a retractedposition, in which the piercing means is away from the membrane, and anextended position, in which the piercing means pierces the membrane ofthe cartridge and projects into the cartridge. Preferably at least onelateral channel for conveying the beverage substrate and/or foodstuffsubstrate in the direction of the mixing chamber when the membrane ispierced by the piercing means has been introduced into the outer wall ofthe piercing means. Furthermore, a compressed-air line is particularlypreferably integrated into the piercing means, wherein a compressed-airconnection for connecting to a compressed-air source is formed on a sideof the piercing means that is remote from the cartridge, saidcompressed-air connection being accessible in particular from outsidethe cartridge receptacle, and wherein a on a side of the piercing meansthat faces the cartridge

Preferably, the inflow and the outflow are provided at opposite ends ofthe cartridge receptacle. Particularly preferably, the piercing means isprovided in a manner aligned with the inflow and the outflow.

According to a further preferred subject, or subject according to theinvention, of the present invention, the outlet is provided in amovable, in particular pivotable, manner on the mixing chamber, or has ameans with which the outlet can be oriented, in particular can bedirected in the direction of the side wall of the vessel which receivesthe finished beverage or foodstuff. This embodiment is advantageous inparticular in the case of beverages or foodstuffs that tend to foam. Theoutlet can be moved manually or by a motor. In the event that thecartridge has an identification, the pivoting can take placeautomatically after the dispenser has recognized the cartridge.

A further subject of the present invention is a system having thepreferred cartridge receptacle, or cartridge receptacle according to theinvention, on/in which a cartridge is provided, said cartridge having awall region, one end of which is adjoined by a connecting region whichis closed, in particular by a membrane (14), and at the opposite end ofwhich optionally a bottom region is provided, wherein the wall regionand optionally the bottom region define a cavity which accommodates abeverage substrate and/or foodstuff substrate.

The statements made with regard to this subject of the present inventionapply equally to the other subjects of the present invention and viceversa.

The cartridge is produced preferably from plastic, in particular by amolding and/or blow-molding process. The cartridge has a side wall whichhas for example a round, rectangular, square, conical or oval crosssection. A bottom is generally provided, in particular in one piece, atone end of the side wall. The side wall and optionally the bottom regiondefine a cavity in which a beverage substrate and/or foodstuffsubstrate, in particular in liquid form, is provided. Provided at theother end of the wall region is a connecting region by way of which thecartridge is connected to the cartridge receptacle. This cartridgereceptacle can be part of a dispenser or a component separate from thedispenser.

Preferably, the connecting region is provided such that it has a flange.The flange protrudes from the connecting region and projects from a wallregion of the connecting region preferably at an angle, particularlypreferably at right angles. In order to produce the beverage orfoodstuff, the flange is oriented preferably horizontally. Preferably,the flange is made of solid material, i.e. not manufactured in a hollowmanner.

Further preferably, the flange is provided with a positioning and/orcovering means. The positioning means ensures that the cartridge can bearranged on the dispenser and/or on the cartridge receptacle only in aparticular position, in particular at a particular angle of rotation, inparticular with regard to the longitudinal center axis of the cartridge.The covering means covers a region, in particular a region through whichthe finished beverage or foodstuff flows out. Preferably, thepositioning means and the covering means are identical.

Preferably, the positioning means and/or covering means is anindentation and/or protuberance which protrudes from the flange, inparticular the circumference thereof. Preferably, the positioning meansand/or covering means is provided in one piece with the flange. Forexample, the positioning means and/or covering means is configured as alug which is integrally formed at one point on the circumference of theflange. The thickness of the positioning means and/or covering meanscorresponds in this case at least substantially to the thickness of theflange.

According to one preferred embodiment, a neck is provided between thewall region and the connecting region. This neck can have for example around cross section. The neck represents the wall region of theconnecting region. The flange adjoins the neck preferably at rightangles.

Preferably, the membrane which closes, in particular hermetically seals,the cartridge before it is used, is provided on the flange, inparticular the end face thereof, in particular in a sealed manner. Tothis end, the flange, in particular the end face thereof, can have abead, in particular a bead in the form of a circular ring, whichcooperates with the sealing tool during sealing. Preferably, the outercircumference of the membrane is less than the outer circumference ofthe flange.

Preferably, a fastening means is provided in the wall region and/or inthe region of the neck. By way of this fastening means, the cartridgecan be connected to a dispenser. The fastening means can be for examplea groove in which a fastening means on the dispenser engages.

The cartridge receptacle can be connected fixedly to the cartridge or bea replacement part which is removed from the cartridge after the latterhas been used, and is connected to a new cartridge. Preferably, thecartridge receptacle is made of plastic, in particular byinjection-molding. Preferably, the cartridge receptacle is connected toa dispenser.

Preferably, the covering means, which is provided on the flange of thecartridge, covers the outflow of the cartridge receptacle.

Preferably, the flange on the cartridge, in particular the circumferencethereof, cooperates in a sealing manner with the cartridge receptacle.To this end, the circumference of the flange can engage for example in agroove in the cartridge receptacle. This flange/groove connection canalso serve as a force-fit, in order to prevent the cartridge fromshifting relative to the cartridge receptacle during beverage orfoodstuff production and the connection between the cartridge andcartridge receptacle losing its tightness.

According to one preferred embodiment, the cartridge and the cartridgereceptacle are provided to be longitudinally displaceable with respectto one another, in particular before the membrane is pierced. As aresult of this longitudinal displacement, the piercing means can then bebrought into engagement with the membrane and pierce the latter.

Preferably, the cartridge and the cartridge receptacle are connectedtogether in a rotationally fixed manner.

Preferably, the piercing means has a channel. Through this channel, agas can be pushed into the cartridge, which pushes the beveragesubstrate and/or foodstuff substrate out of the cartridge, in particularinto the mixing space of the cartridge receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following text, the invention is explained by way of FIGS. 1 to15. These explanations are merely by way of example and do not limit thegeneral concept according to the invention. The explanations apply tothe cartridge according to the invention and to the system according tothe invention equally.

FIGS. 1-4 show a first embodiment of the system according to theinvention.

FIGS. 5-8 show a further embodiment of the system according to theinvention.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment with a fastening means.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show two examples of mixing elements.

FIG. 12 shows the holder for the cartridge receptacle on the dispenser.

FIG. 13 shows a cartridge of a system according to a further embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a cartridge receptacle of the system according to thefurther embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a spike of the cartridge receptacle according to thefurther embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 show a first embodiment of the system according to theinvention, which consists of a cartridge 1 and a cartridge receptacle10. The cartridge is manufactured preferably from a plastic material,for example by injection-molding or by a blow-molding technique. Thecartridge has an, in the present case, a square, wall region 6, and inthis case an upper end of which is adjoined by a bottom region 7. Thewall region 6 and the bottom region 7 delimit a cavity in which thebeverage substrate and/or foodstuff substrate, in particular aconcentrate, is located, with which a beverage or foodstuff can beproduced. At the opposite end of the wall region from the bottom region,in this case the lower end, a connecting region 4 is provided, which inthe present case has a neck 3 and a flange 5. The cavity of thecartridge is hermetically sealed by a closure 14, in this case amembrane, after it has been filled. The membrane 14, in particular aplastic foil is connected to the flange preferably cohesively, inparticular by sealing. By way of the connecting region, the cartridge isconnected to a cartridge receptacle. A positioning and/or covering means8, which in the present case is provided as a protuberance, inparticular as a lug-like protuberance, is provided on the flange 5. Thelug is in this case integrally formed on the flange. Furthermore, as canbe gathered in particular from FIGS. 1b ) and c), the system has acartridge receptacle 10. This cartridge receptacle has a solvent, inparticular water, inflow 15 (cf. FIG. 2) and a mixing chamber 13 inwhich the solvent and the beverage substrate and/or foodstuff substrateare mixed. The direction of flow of the mixture is indicated by thearrow 12 in FIG. 1c ). The finished beverage/foodstuff leaves the mixingchamber through the outflow 11 and is collected in a container, forexample a glass. Furthermore, as can be gathered in particular from FIG.2, the cartridge receptacle has a piercing means 16, in this case aspike 16, which, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, pierces themembrane, which is sealed to the flange region of the cartridge, suchthat the beverage substrate or foodstuff substrate can flow into theflow chamber 13 in particular along the outer face of the spike, whichis provided preferably with outflow channels 17 on its outer side forthis purpose.

FIG. 2 shows the system before the piercing means 16 comes intoengagement with the membrane 14. In order to achieve this, the cartridgeand/or the cartridge receptacle are shifted longitudinally with respectto one another such that the spike 16 penetrates the membrane 14, thisbeing clearly visible in particular from FIG. 3c ). In said figure, thechannels 17 through which the substrate flows into the mixing chambercan also be identified particularly well. The flow of the substrate intothe mixing chamber can be accelerated and controlled in a targetedmanner by gas which is pushed into the cartridge 1 through a duct 18 inthe piercing spike 16. For example, the pressure in the cartridge can beadapted to the volumetric flow of the solvent.

As can be gathered in particular from FIG. 1d ) and FIG. 4, the flange 5of the cartridge 1 cooperates in a sealing manner with the cartridgereceptacle and as a result ensures that liquid leaves the mixing chamberonly through the outflow 5. Furthermore, it is apparent in particularfrom these figures that the protuberance 8 in the present case is notonly a positioning means but also covers the outflow 11 in the cartridgereceptacle in particular in a sealing manner. The flange 8 and theprotuberance 8 provided thereon can cooperate in a sealing manner, byway of their end face and/or by way of their circumference, withcorresponding faces of the cartridge receptacle.

FIGS. 5-8 show a further embodiment of the system according to theinvention. As regards the cartridge, reference can be made essentiallyto the statements made with regard to FIGS. 1 to 4, wherein thecartridge also has, in addition to the flange 5, a fastening means 20 inits connecting region, said fastening means 20 connecting the cartridge1 to the cartridge receptacle 10. Furthermore, the wall region 6 has inthe present case an indentation 24 which allows a longitudinaldisplacement between the cartridge and the cartridge receptacle andoptionally a dispenser and which also represents a guide for thecartridge.

As regards the cartridge receptacle 10, too, reference can be made tothe statements made with regard to FIGS. 1-4. However, as can begathered in particular from FIG. 7, the cartridge receptacle in thepresent case has a fastening or securing ring 21 which is connected tothe mixing chamber 13 by means of deformation and/or predeterminedbreaking points 22. This ring 21 cooperates in a force-fitting mannerwith the fastening means 20, for example in this case a collar 20 whichis provided on the cartridge. Furthermore, it is clearly apparent fromFIG. 7 that the cartridge receptacle 10, in addition to the spike 18,also has further piercing means 16. Through the spike 18, a gas ispushed into the cartridge, said gas pushing the substrate out of thecartridge. The opening means 16 cut into the membrane, in this case withangled cuts, which then form flaps which are pushed downward under thepressure of the substrate and thus allow the substrate to flow out moreeasily. A person skilled in the art will recognize that a piercing means16 may also suffice, or that it is also possible to use the piercing ofthe membrane and the running out of the substrate as explained withreference to FIGS. 1-4 in the present case. Of course, the currentopening means 16, 18 can also be transferred to the embodiment accordingto FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 5 shows the system prior to piercing. FIG. 6 shows the system afterthe membrane has been pierced. By way of a relative movement,illustrated by means of arrow 2, between the mixing chamber 13 and thecartridge 1, the predetermined deformation points and/or predeterminedbreaking points 22 are deformed or destroyed, respectively, such thatthe cartridge can move together with the ring 21 in the direction of themixing chamber 13. As a result of this movement, in which the flange 5is also introduced into the groove 27 and cooperates with the latter ina sealing manner, the membrane 14 is perforated and the substrate canflow out of the cartridge into the mixing chamber, in which it is mixedwith a solvent, which is metered into the mixing chamber through theinflow 15, and leaves the mixing chamber through the outflow 11.

FIG. 9 shows a fastening means, in this case a groove 25, in the wallregion of the cartridge. It is possible for a fastening means 26, withwhich the cartridge is fastened to a dispenser, to engage in thisgroove.

FIGS. 10 and 11 each show the mixing chamber in plan view. In thepresent case, the mixing chamber 13 is provided with a mixing element28, which, in the present case, consists in each case of severalcomponents. In the embodiment according to FIG. 10, the components arein the form of circular ring segments, wherein the diameters of thecircular rings can differ. In the embodiment according to FIG. 11, thecomponents are angles. Preferably, the mixing elements 28 are designedsuch that they blend the substrate and the solvent together readily, butalso such that only as small a pressure loss as possible arises.

In FIG. 12, the system consisting of the cartridge 1 and the cartridgereceptacle 10 is shown on the right-hand side. The view is from thedirection of the outflow in this case. The left-hand illustration inFIG. 12 shows a holder 29 with which the system 1, 10 is held on adispenser. The holder 29 has a cutout into which the bottom of themixing chamber projects at least partially. The holder serves as asupport for the system. Located beneath the holder 29 is a container,into which the finished beverage or foodstuff runs. Furthermore, theholder has a guide 30, which cooperates with the cartridge receptacle 10in a form-fitting manner and secures the latter against slipping to theside and/or twisting relative to the holder 29. In the present case, theguide is provided in a manner spaced apart from the cutout. A personskilled in the art will understand that the function of securing againstslipping and/or twisting can also be assumed by a form fit between thecutout and the bottom of the cartridge receptacle. The cutout isadjoined by a connection for the solvent, which is preferably not partof the holder, however.

FIG. 13 illustrates four depictions of a cartridge 1 according to afurther exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge 1and the associated system of cartridge 2 and cartridge receptacle 10(illustrated in FIG. 14) are similar in terms of their function to thesystem, explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

However, the cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 13 has, by contrast, two flanges5. Both flanges 5 serve to fasten the cartridge receptacle 10 to thecartridge 1. In addition, the membrane 14 is sealed to the outer flange5.

The cross section (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thecartridge 1) of the two flanges 5 has a substantially roundcircumference, wherein a rectilinear circumferential region 31 isprovided on one side. In the rectilinear or flattened circumferentialregion 31, the circumference extends as a virtually straight line(visible on the underside of the flange 5 in the right-hand depiction inFIG. 13), while the circumference of the flange 5 away from therectilinear circumferential region 31 extends as a curved line. Therectilinear circumferential region 31 serves as a positioning means, byway of which the orientation of the cartridge 1 is fixed with respect tothe cartridge receptacle 10.

In FIG. 11, the matching cartridge receptacle 10 can be seen. It isapparent that, in the further embodiment, the circumference of thecartridge receptacle 10 has a shape corresponding to the contour of thetwo flanges 5 illustrated in FIG. 10, such that the cartridge 2 andcartridge receptacle 10 can be connected together only in a particularorientation with respect to one another. The rectilinear circumferentialregion 31 thus serves as a twist prevention means. Advantageously, thisalso defines the region of the cartridge 1 in which the gas is pushedinto the cavity.

Arranged within the mixing chamber 13 is a spike guide 32 in which thespike 16 (also referred to as piercing means) is guided in a movablemanner. Thus, in the further embodiment, the perforation of the membrane14 is not brought about by a relative movement between the cartridge 1and cartridge receptacle 10, but rather the spike 16 is guided in amovable manner in the cartridge receptacle 10 that is fixed relative tothe cartridge 1. In this way, the spike 16 can be transferred from aretracted position (corresponds especially to the initial state of thesystem), in which the spike 16 is away from the membrane 14, into anextended position, in which the spike 16 protrudes into the cavity ofthe cartridge 1 and in the process perforates the membrane 14. In thisextended position, the cartridge 1 is thus opened and the beveragesubstrate and/or foodstuff substrate can pass through outflow channels17 in the outer face of the spike 16, past the membrane 14, and into themixing chamber 13.

On a side of the cartridge receptacle 10 that faces the cartridge 1, alatching strip 33 is furthermore provided, which, in order to fasten thecartridge 1 to the cartridge receptacle 10, engages around one of thetwo flanges 5 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. In thisway, a relative movement between the cartridge 1 and cartridgereceptacle 10 is prevented.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic view of a spike 16 which is guided inthe spike guide 32 shown in FIG. 13. The spike 16 has an internalcompressed-air line 34, which serves as a gas inlet 18, and the outeroutflow channels 17, through which the substrate can flow past themembrane 14 pierced by means of the spike 16 and into the mixing chamber13. A compressed-air connection of the compressed-air line 34 forconnecting to a compressed-air source is formed on a side of the spike16 that is remote from the cartridge 1, said compressed-air connectionbeing accessible from outside the cartridge receptacle 10, wherein acompressed-air outlet of the compressed-air line 34 for blowing thecompressed air into the cartridge 1 is formed on a side of the spike 16that faces the cartridge 1.

An arrangement in which the spike 16 shown in FIG. 14 is arranged in thespike guide 32 of the cartridge receptacle 10 shown in FIG. 13 and thecartridge receptacle 10 shown in FIG. 13 is then connected to thecartridge 1 shown in FIG. 12 represents a system according to thefurther exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The present teachings envision any of the following features of acartridge receptacle, system, and/or a beverage preparation machine inany combination: a cartridge receptacle having a diluent, in particularwater, inflow, a mixing chamber in which the diluent and a beveragesubstrate and/or foodstuff substrate are mixed, and an outflow, whereinwith regard to the direction of flow of the diluent, the flow crosssection is first expanded and then reduced again; the mixing chamber hasa protuberance; the outflow is provided in the protuberance; thecartridge receptacle has a fastening and/or securing ring; the fasteningand/or securing ring is provided with a predetermined breaking pointand/or predetermined deformation point at the mixing chamber; at leastone mixing element is provided in the mixing chamber; the cartridgereceptacle has a piercing means which perforates the membrane; thecartridge receptacle has a spike guide; the piercing means is mounted ina displaceable manner within the spike guide; the piercing means isdisplaceable between a retracted position, in which the piercing meansis away from the membrane, and an extended position, in which thepiercing means pierces the membrane of the cartridge and projects intothe cartridge; at least one lateral channel for conveying the beveragesubstrate and/or foodstuff substrate in the direction of the mixingchamber when the membrane is pierced by the piercing means has beenintroduced into the outer wall of the piercing means; a compressed-airline is integrated into the piercing means; a compressed-air connectionof the compressed-air line for connecting to a compressed-air source isformed on a side of the piercing means that is remote from thecartridge, the compressed-air connection being accessible in particularfrom outside the cartridge receptacle; a compressed-air outlet of thecompressed-air line for blowing the compressed air into the cartridge isformed on a side of the piercing means that faces the cartridge; theinflow and the outflow are provided at opposite ends of the cartridgereceptacle; the piercing means is provided in a manner aligned with theinflow and the outflow; a system having a cartridge receptacle in whicha cartridge is provided, wherein the cartridge has a wall region, oneend of which is adjoined by a connecting region which is closed, inparticular by a membrane, and at the opposite end of which optionally abottom region is provided, wherein the wall region and optionally thebottom region define a cavity which accommodates a beverage substrateand/or foodstuff substrate; the connecting region has a flange which isprovided with a positioning means and/or covering means; the positioningmeans and/or covering means is an indentation and/or protuberance whichprotrudes from the flange, in particular the circumference thereof; aneck is provided between the wall region and the connecting region; themembrane is provided on the flange; the cartridge receptacle is providedin the connecting region of the cartridge; the flange cooperates in asealing manner with the cartridge receptacle; the cartridge and thecartridge receptacle are connected together in a rotationally fixedmanner; and the covering means covers the outflow of the cartridgereceptacle.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 Cartridge-   2 Direction of movement-   3 Neck-   4 Connecting region-   5 Flange-   6 Wall region-   7 Bottom region-   8 Positioning and/or covering means, indentation and/or protuberance-   9 Inflow of the substance, piercing means-   10 Cartridge receptacle-   11 Outflow of substance plus solvent/water-   12 Direction of flow of substance plus solvent/water-   13 Mixing chamber-   14 Closure, membrane-   15 Solvent inflow, water inflow-   16 Piercing means, spike-   17 Outflow channels-   18 Gas inlet-   19 Seal, collar seal-   20 Fastening means, collar-   21 Fastening ring, securing ring-   22 Deformation and/or predetermined breaking point-   23 Indentation and/or protuberance of the cartridge receptacle-   24 Indentation, guide-   25 Form-fitting means for a fastening means 26-   26 Fastening means-   27 Sealing means, groove-   28 Mixing elements-   29 Holder-   30 Guide for the cartridge receptacle-   31 Rectilinear circumferential region-   32 Spike guide-   33 Latching strip-   34 Compressed-air line

1. A cartridge receptacle having: a) a diluent inflow; b) a mixingchamber in which a diluent and a beverage substrate and/or a foodstuffsubstrate are mixed; c) an outflow; d) a piercing means which isconfigured to perforate a membrane of a cartridge; wherein with regardto a direction of flow of the diluent, a flow cross section is firstexpanded and then reduced again; and wherein the piercing means isprovided in a manner aligned with the diluent inflow and the outflow.2-21. (canceled)
 22. The cartridge receptacle according to claim 1,wherein the diluent is water.
 23. The cartridge receptacle according toclaim 1, wherein the mixing chamber has a protuberance.
 24. Thecartridge receptacle according to claim 23, wherein the outflow isprovided in the protuberance.
 25. The cartridge receptacle according toclaim 1, wherein the cartridge receptacle has a fastening and/orsecuring ring.
 26. The cartridge receptacle according to claim 25,wherein the fastening and/or securing ring is provided with apredetermined breaking point and/or predetermined deformation point atthe mixing chamber.
 27. The cartridge receptacle according to claim 1,wherein at least one mixing element is provided in the mixing chamber.28. The cartridge receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the cartridgereceptacle has a spike guide and the piercing means is mounted in adisplaceable manner within the spike guide; and wherein the piercingmeans is displaceable between a retracted position, in which thepiercing means is away from the membrane, and an extended position, inwhich the piercing means pierces the membrane of the cartridge andprojects into the cartridge.
 29. The cartridge receptacle according toclaim 28, wherein at least one lateral channel for conveying thebeverage substrate and/or the foodstuff substrate in a direction of themixing chamber when the membrane is pierced by the piercing means hasbeen introduced into an outer wall of the piercing means.
 30. Thecartridge receptacle according to claim 29, wherein a compressed-airline is integrated into the piercing means, and wherein a compressed-airconnection of the compressed-air line for connecting to a compressed-airsource is formed on a side of the piercing means that is remote from thecartridge, said compressed-air connection being accessible in particularfrom outside the cartridge receptacle, and wherein a compressed-airoutlet of the compressed-air line configured to blow compressed air intothe cartridge is formed on a side of the piercing means that faces thecartridge.
 31. A system having a cartridge receptacle according to claim1, wherein a cartridge is provided, wherein the cartridge has a wallregion, one end of which is adjoined by a connecting region which isclosed by a membrane, and at the opposite end of which optionally abottom region is provided; and wherein the wall region, and optionallythe bottom region, define a cavity which accommodates a beveragesubstrate and/or a foodstuff substrate.
 32. The system according toclaim 31, wherein the connecting region has a flange which is providedwith a positioning means and/or covering means.
 33. The system accordingto claim 32, wherein the positioning means and/or the covering means isan indentation and/or a protuberance which protrudes from the flange.34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the indentation and/or theprotuberance protrudes from a circumference of the flange.
 35. Thesystem according to claim 31, wherein a neck is provided between thewall region and the connecting region.
 36. The system according to claim32, wherein the membrane is provided on the flange.
 37. The systemaccording to claim 31, wherein the cartridge receptacle is provided inthe connecting region of the cartridge.
 38. The system according toclaim 32, wherein the flange cooperates in a sealing manner with thecartridge receptacle.
 39. The system according to claim 31, wherein thecartridge and the cartridge receptacle are connected together in arotationally fixed manner.
 40. The system according to claim 31, whereina covering means covers the outflow of the cartridge receptacle.